The Miracle Club (2023)

This film, directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan, sparked a lively discussion right from the start. We shared our family history connections with Ireland and strong memories of visiting Lourdes.

However, we weren’t over the moon with this 2023 film, even though the trio of leading ladies – Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates and Laura Linney – promised so much.  One of our participants with Irish roots felt the film didn’t feel like Ireland in 1967, particularly in the lack of reverence shown towards faith.  Equally, the experience of Lourdes didn’t seem authentic, missing out on the key elements, such as the candlelit processions, hymns and the odd absence of nuns.

There were some big themes raised in The Miracle Club including abortion, loss, immigration and serious illness. However, they were skated over.  Forgiveness, reconciliation and healing were there in the film’s ending but very predictably so.

Some of us felt uncomfortable that fathers were represented as being hopeless and we weren’t alone, as this sexism seemed to be picked up by some reviewers. We liked the scene around the dinner table with many children and such a wide age range. For some this felt truer to the Irish Catholic experience. Although the character of the kind priest was generally valued, it was unfortunate that he seemed to disappear later in the film.

We did wonder whether the film was aimed at the American market, hence its chocolate box depiction of Ireland and portrayal of US immigrant Chrissie (Laura Linney) as someone with superior wisdom.

Superficial, schmaltzy and sexist or heart-warming, moving and amusing?  We know what we felt. On the other side of the coin, the short ‘Home Is Another Place’ was greatly appreciated for its creative filming.

Anne